Hunters prep for upland opener, youth season

PRATT — The Kansas youth pheasant and quail season runs Nov. 6-7, and many adult hunters are set to use this time not only to pass the hunting tradition on but to stretch their legs, scout fields, and work dogs. During these two days, youth 16 and younger may hunt under the supervision of an adult 18 or older, but the adult may not hunt. It’s a great time to get kids out before the birds are stirred up, improving the opportunity of bagging game under uncrowded conditions. The daily bag limits during this season are two rooster pheasants and four quail (half the regular season limit).

The following Saturday, Nov. 13, resident and nonresident hunters will hit the field for the opening of the regular season for pheasants and quail, which runs through Jan. 31. Prairie chicken season opens the following Saturday, Nov. 20. This season runs through Jan. 31, in the Northwest (north of I-70 and west of U.S. 281) and East (all Kansas east of U.S. 281) units. In the Southwest Unit (south of I-70 and west of U.S. 281), prairie chicken season runs Nov. 20 through Dec. 31.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reminds all hunters to avoid standing crops during upland game bird seasons. Although most milo is expected to be harvested before the seasons open this year, some milo and other crops may not, and most farmers do not want these unharvested fields disturbed. Permission is required to hunt private land, whether it is posted or not.

The daily bag limit on pheasants is four roosters, and the daily bag on quail is eight birds of either sex. The daily bag limit on prairie chicken in the East and Northwest units is two, and the daily bag in the Southwest Unit is one. The possession limit on all three species is four times the daily bag limit.

A valid Kansas hunting license is required of all residents ages 16 through 64. Nonresidents must purchase a $72.50 nonresident hunting license, except that those nonresidents younger than 16 may purchase a youth nonresident license for $37.50. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must have completed a certified hunter education course, except that youth 15 and younger may hunt under direct adult supervision without hunter education certification. Youth 12 through 15 may hunt without adult supervision if they have completed a certified hunter education course. Anyone 16 or older may purchase a one-time deferral of hunter education, called an “apprentice hunting license,” for the same price as a regular hunting license. This license is valid only through the calendar year in which it is purchased, and the holder must be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult 18 or older. A hunting license and hunter education are not required while hunting one’s own land.

For complete hunting regulation information, consult the 2010 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, available wherever licenses are sold or online at the KDWP website under “Hunting/Hunting Regulations.”